He is great.
Howard Acosta, LCSW
Experienced mental health professional
Provides online counseling through BetterHelp
At a glance
Howard is an experienced, licensed Mental Health Professional who specializes in affordable online therapy offered through our partner, BetterHelp.
- 5.0 stars
- Clients are very satisfied with Howard. View 21 reviews
- Great news, Howard is accepting new clients!
- He is normally fully-booked.
- Speaks English
- Offers Telehealth visits
- Licensed in California
Recent reviews
Howard has been an amazing resource. I have gone to therapy for years but never had a therapist who has helped me the way that Howard has. I truly appreciate how he interacts with and gives me tools to combat my problems.
More about Howard
- 24 years' experience
- Male
- LCSW
HELLO! Feeling stuck? We live in challenging times and relief doesn't seem fast enough these days. I've been there, I've been counseling 24+ years and I know what works and what works fast. My job as a licensed psychotherapist is to get you in-and-out as soon as possible and to ensure you learn what works by teaching you up-front, rapid, science-based coping methods and strategies that work to quickly move you towards more relaxation, self-control and/or joy as fast as possible. In fact I've written books about it titled "UCoping" and "UCoping: Interactive Edition" available on Amazon. The methods in UCoping are the methods I use in treatment. They CUT TO THE CHASE, without all the PSYCHOBABBLE and instead teach you how to RAPIDLY use science-based coping correctly. Then I teach how to CRYSTALIZE the methods for life in as short of an amount of sessions as possible—usually 2-5 sessions. After then we can triage for transition to long-term therapy if needed! This is how I practice in treatment. It all comes through an active faith, being a licensed therapist and through the academics of clinical psychotherapy.
I treat anxiety, depression, sexual identity distress (not sex addiction) with co-occurring drug/alcohol issues, as applicable. I also treat symptoms of anger management and psychosis (not personality disorders) and provide parenting psychoeducation. I teach clients how to turn evidence-based coping methods into habits for life! I add faith, spiritual and/or religious discussions as needed in a style that is calm, warm and compassionate. I mostly use Cognitive/Behavioral Therapy (CBT), some Motivational Interviewing (MI) and Solution-Focused Treatment (SFT) to name a few. Let's get started working together to get you unstuck fast for life!
Specialties
Stress
Anxiety
Addictions
LGBT
Parenting issues
Anger management
Grief
Self esteem
Depression
Coping with life changes
Adoption and foster care
Aging and geriatric issues
Co-morbidity
Domestic violence
Drug and alcohol addiction
Fatherhood issues
Forgiveness
Gender dysphoria
Hospice and end-of-life counseling
Impulsivity
Isolation / loneliness
Men's issues
Military and veterans issues
Mood disorders
Obsessions, compulsions, and OCD
Panic disorder and panic attacks
Paranoia
Phobias
Post-traumatic stress
Prejudice and discrimination
Sexuality
Smoking / vaping cessation
Social anxiety and phobia
Treatment Approaches
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Mindfulness Therapy
- Motivational Interviewing
- Solution-Focused Therapy
Licenses
Howard Acosta's National Provider Identifier (NPI) is 1043590953.
- LCSW · California · 74837 · Expires July 2026
About online counseling
- Affordable.
- Pay a low flat fee.
- Convenient.
- Do it at your own time and at your own pace. Communicate whenever you feel it's needed.
- Available now.
- There is no waiting list and no calls to make. Simply fill out a short questionnaire and send your first message.
Online counseling, sometimes called teletherapy, refers to talk therapy delivered remotely through digital platforms, such as video calls, phone calls, or chat. It can be a great option for people who face barriers to traditional face-to-face therapy, such as those living in remote areas, individuals with mobility issues, or people with busy schedules that make it difficult to attend in-person sessions.
Teletherapy also offers greater convenience and flexibility, allowing clients to access care from the comfort of their homes. Research shows that the treatment outcomes with online counseling are often just as effective as with traditional therapy, providing a viable alternative for individuals seeking mental health support.
Reviews for Howard Acosta
All reviews have been submitted by clients after seeing the provider.
Overall rating:
He is great.
Howard has been an amazing resource. I have gone to therapy for years but never had a therapist who has helped me the way that Howard has. I truly appreciate how he interacts with and gives me tools to combat my problems.
It was my first session with Howard, but I am amazed at how much I learned. Can’t wait to put my exercises to practice and see what I’ll gain from my sessions.
Very smart and well spoken
Howard A. has been a positive force in helping tame my anxiety and thought rumination. He listens and gives great insight. The science-backed techniques he has taught me have been really helpful. Big thumbs up!
I needed someone to talk to about the stressor that currently plague me. It is a great listener and gives great tools to help me. I appreciate him very much
Howard Acosta is wonderfully approachable and highly skilled. He really listens, asks insightful questions, and provide truly useful techniques. I've benefitted significantly from just a very few sessions with him.
He's amazing. Seriously amazing. He goes above and beyond and is a really great listener. Whenever I need to press the 'Emergency button, I need help' he is the ultimate calm. Thank U!
Howard has been a great help to me! He's an excellent resource and very knowledgable.
Howard has science-based, proven techniques for addressing stress. He provided me methods for quick relief from stress symptoms. Of course, addressing the cause could take much longer. But feeling less stressed about my stressor is very helpful, and lets me focus better on practical resolutions.
Howard is the best therapist I’ve ever had, and I have worked with many :)
Howard is an excellent therapist. He really takes the time to listen and understand what I say. He goes beyond just asking open ended questions, as some therapists I have had will do. He will engage in a conversation which helps me to understand where feelings are coming from and provides quick and simple ways of addressing those feelings. I would highly recommend Howard to anyone looking for a judgement-free and results oriented relationship with their therapist.
have never felt so seen. and that is the root.
I would strongly recommend my therapist to friends and colleagues because he understands what I’m going threw and listens to me, He also make’s good suggestions
He's a good therapist.
Love it
It has been a couple of weeks since I started my sessions with Howard. I feel comfortable in our sessions and couldn’t be happier with the progress. Positive advice and helpful techniques like diaphragmatic breathing to help manage my anxiety. I believe CBT therapy is a excellent way to help anyone feel better. I appreciate your help, thank you Howard.
Howard is great and his approach is working...
Very friendly and easy to talk to.
Howard has given me immediate, practical help for my issues. I am very excited to be working with someone who delves into behavioral changes right away, backed up by the cognitive readjustment we all need.
Very educated, calm and supportive.
Frequently asked questions
Does Howard Acosta offer telehealth visits?
Yes. Howard Acosta works with clients by exchanging messages, chatting live, speaking over the phone, or video conferencing based on what works for the client at that particular time.
What language(s) does Howard Acosta speak?
Howard Acosta speaks English.
How many years of experience does Howard Acosta have?
Howard Acosta has 24 years of experience.
Where is Howard Acosta licensed to practice?
Howard Acosta is licensed to practice in California.
Does Howard Acosta accept clients outside of the United States?
Yes, Howard Acosta accepts clients outside of the United States.
Is online therapy as effective as in-person therapy?
Numerous studies support the effectiveness of online platforms in facilitating life changes. For instance, research published by JMIR Publications, conducted by teams from the University of Berkeley, UCSF, and SF General Hospital, found that "users of BetterHelp experienced significantly reduced depression symptom severity after engaging with the platform."
What treatment approaches does Howard Acosta offer?
Howard Acosta offers clients Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Solution-Focused Therapy.
How can I communicate with Howard Acosta?
Howard Acosta can be engaged in any one of four ways: (1) Exchanging messages, (2) chatting live, (3) speaking over the phone, or (4) video conferencing. You can use different ways at different times as you wish, based on your needs, availability, and convenience.
How do I get started with Howard Acosta?
Just tap the CHAT NOW button or tap here: A new window will open and you'll be directed to a simple form that will help start the conversation. Please note: It can take up to a few days to be matched to a therapist.
Mental health conditions are real, common, and treatable.
And recovery is possible.
When you tap CHAT NOW a new window will open and you'll be directed to a simple form that will help start the conversation. Please note: It can take up to a few days to be matched to a therapist.